HeldAccountable

PULLED OVER FOR NO VALID REASON? VEHICLE SEARCHED WITHOUT PERMISSION? OFFICER FALSIFY A POLICE REPORT?TIRED OF BEING HARASSED?

Too often people are pulled over without justifiable reason, where the officer will make up a primary violation in order to search a vehicle or ticket for a seatbelt offence. This (among many other scenarios) is a violation of your rights. You should go to traffic court to fight these erroneous ticket violations. But if the traffic courts are not interested in righting the officer's wrong, you must take a step further and file a Federal complaint against the officer and his agency.

Only filing a complaint at the police department from where there is police misconduct is almost never a good idea. Most all police departments handle their complaints internally, meaning the only investigation into the problem is by fellow officers and co-workers. You may never know how the "investigation" is determined until the very end when they decide not to continue with your complaint.

It is ALWAYS best to file a complaint with the FBI, your State Attorney General, and then your local civil rights agency in that order.

NEVER allow unethical or irresponsible police officers to get away with misconduct. Doing so allows them to continue their behavior until it inappropriately, physically or financially affects other people. Or worse... gets someone killed. Some police officers do their job respectfully, but many others harm the system by abusing the people whom they are legally obligated, and paid to serve and protect.

A federal and state complaint against an officer stays on their permanent record. And just like you have a (hopefully clean) permanent criminal file with your government, so too must the offending officer carry your complaint indefinitely (although in local cities it may be up to 5 years). When complaints about an officer add up, action may soon be taken to remove him from duty.

YOU HAVE POWER! It's important to remember that these officers are just your neighbors at work. They make bad judgements like everyone else. Police may use fear as a tactic to trap or control you. Don't fear the police. They are human and just as vulnerable as you.

Included below are the forms you need to file a federal and state complaint of police misconduct. It may also be in your best interest to consult with an attorney if you believe your rights have been violated. A civil suit against the offending individual or agency often creates the greatest and most dramatic changes. You can find an attorney by using findlaw.com, and get very cheap or free legal advice from an attorney in your state at ﻿avvo.com﻿. But reconsider retaining a lawyer from your city or state. They work with police and it's a conflict of interest.

MAIL YOUR COMPLAINT CERTIFIED. It usually takes 2-4 months for an agent with the FBI to contact you about your submitted complaint and/or submit it to the Attorney General. Your attorney general may contact you sooner, but note that you should submit your complaint to them only AFTER you submit to the FBI.

Lastly, get a dual lens DASH CAM that will turn on and record both the front and back of your vehicle whenever you start it. Hide it behind your rear view mirror or somewhere similar and do not tell an officer if you have one. There's no refuting hard evidence like video and audio. If you cant afford a dash cam, simply turn on the video on your phone and lay it in the seat next to you to silently record a traffic stop. Protect yourself.